Chapter 748

Even with the support of Yan Zhenqing and the logistical backing of twenty-four commanderies north of Luoyang, numerous problems remained. Tongguan was currently occupied by Feng Changqing and Gao Xianzhi, making any breakthrough entirely impossible. If this stalemate continued, it would turn into a war of attrition, putting Si Ren's side at a severe disadvantage. Luoyang simply could not compare to Tongguan. Si Ren's inability to take Tongguan did not mean the enemy could not take Luoyang. If Luoyang ended up besieged like An Lushan's initial target, the grain reserves within the city would eventually be exhausted, and the defending garrison would likely starve to death. To prevent this from happening again, Si Ren left a garrison of forty thousand troops in Luoyang, along with enough supplies to last them three months. The remaining sixty thousand men were stationed at Hangu Pass, Mengjin, and Yique. These three passes were naturally fortified and difficult to capture. Any attack on Luoyang from the direction of Chang'an would have to pass through these three strategic points; taking a detour would waste far too much time, disrupt supply lines, and leave the forces vulnerable to ambushes and surprise attacks, unable to defend both front and rear.